Abstract
The purpose of the present study was to examine changes in brain waves, stress, and self-esteem after a continuous eight-week nature-based art therapy program in the forest in non-disabled siblings of children with disabilities. A total of 29 participants participated in this study (art therapy program group, n = 18; control group, n = 11). The art therapy program group received eight weekly sessions of art therapy lasting 60 min each. Pre- and post-test results showed positive changes in the brain function index and stress levels of the participants in the art therapy program group. On the self-esteem scale, overall and social self-esteem increased significantly. In conclusion, creative activities in the forest can increase resistance to diseases through mechanisms that relieve stress and increase self-esteem. If art therapy that emphasizes somatosensory experience, creative expression, and self-motivation is accompanied by forest activities, this combined intervention can elicit positive physical and psychological changes.
Highlights
Group Art Therapy Programs on Stress, Self-Esteem and Changes in Keywords: art therapy; forest therapy; disability; EEG; stress; natural environment
According to the American Art Therapy Association, art therapy facilitated by a professional art therapist effectively supports personal and relational treatment goals as well as community concerns [24]
This study aimed to examine changes in brain waves, stress, and self-esteem after a continuous 8-week nature-based art therapy program in the forest for non-disabled siblings of children with disabilities
Summary
Group Art Therapy Programs on Stress, Self-Esteem and Changes in Keywords: art therapy; forest therapy; disability; EEG; stress; natural environment. While others feel an enormous pressure to be achievers because parents’ psychology of compensation places disproportionate expectations on their nondisabled children [14] Such pressure may be stressful for these children, possibly reducing their self-esteem. This stress that children feel is closely related to physical illness and overall mental health, thereby affecting holistic growth [15,16,17,18,19]. Instilling high self-esteem in children is a central task in their development, in adolescents It reduces problematic behavior in students, while low self-esteem increases stress [22,23]. Art therapy allows individuals to project their problems or emotions onto external objects, gaining others’
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